Roc (Dungeons & Dragons)

Infobox D&D creature
name=Roc
alignment=Neutral
type=
subtype=
source=
first=
mythical=Roc
based=
wizards_image_URL=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG215a.jpg
OGL_stats_URL=http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/monstersOtoR.html#roc

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the roc is a gargantuan animal.

Publication history

The roc was one of the earliest creatures introduced in the D&D game.

Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)

The roc was one of the first monsters introduced in the earliest edition of the game, in the Dungeons & Dragons "white box" set (1974), where they were described as large and fierce birds that nest in mountains, and are hostile to creatures of Chaos and Neutrality. [Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson. "Dungeons & Dragons" (3-Volume Set) (TSR, 1974)]

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)

The roc appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), [Gygax, Gary. "Monster Manual" (TSR, 1977)] where it is described as a huge eagle-like bird that inhabits the highest mountains, and preys upon large creatures such as cattle, horses, and elephants.

The moon roc appeared in the module "Needle" (1987).

Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)

This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the roc, which came in three sizes: the small roc, the large roc, and the giant roc. These all appeared in the "Dungeons & Dragons Expert Set" (1981 & 1983), [Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974] , edited by Dave Cook. "Dungeons & Dragons Expert Set" (TSR, 1981)] [Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974] , edited by Frank Mentzer. "Dungeons & Dragons Set 2: Expert Rules" (TSR, 1983)] and later in the "Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia" (1991). [Schend, Steven E., Jon Pickens, and Dori Warty (Editors). "Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia" (TSR, 1991)]

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)

The roc appears first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989), [Cook, David, et al. "Monstrous Compendium Volume Two" (TSR, 1989)] and are reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993). [Stewart, Doug, ed. "Monstrous Manual" (TSR, 1993)]

The Athasian roc for the Dark Sun campaign setting appeared in "Monstrous Compendium Dark Sun Appendix: Terrors of Athas" (1992). [Baas, Walter. "Monstrous Compendium Dark Sun Appendix: Terrors of Athas" (TSR, Inc., 1992)]

The common Zakharan roc, the two-headed Zakharan roc, and the great Zakharan roc for the Al-Qadim campaign setting appeared in "Land of Fate" (1992).

Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)

The roc appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000). [Cook, Monte, Jonathan Tweet, and Skip Williams. "Monster Manual" (Wizards of the Coast, 2000)]

The chaos roc appeared in "Monster Manual II" (2002). [Bonny, Ed, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, Skip Williams, and Steve Winter. "Monster Manual II" (Wizards of the Coast, 2002)]

Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)

The roc appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003).

Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)

The roc appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008). [Mearls, Mike, Stephen Schubert, and James Wyatt. "Monster Manual" (Wizards of the Coast, 2008)]

Description

Rocs are birds so large that one can carry off an elephant. A roc is always neutral in alignment, and generally prefers warm mountainous terrain. Rocs are usually solitary, but sometimes found in mated pairs.

References